Sania committed to India: AITA

New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) Pakistan may want Sania Mirza to
play for them after marrying cricketer Shoaib Malik but the
tennis ace remains committed to representing India, the All
India Tennis association said here on Thursday.
"Sania Mirza and her parents have informed AITA that she
will continue to play for India after her marriage with Shoaib
Malik. She has confirmed to be part of the Indian team in the
2010 Commonwealth Games at Delhi, Asian Games in Guangzhou,
China, the 2011 Fed Cup and the 2012 Olympics at London," AITA
Secretary General Anil Khanna said in a statement.
The statement came after Pakistan Tennis Federation
chief Dilawar Abbas said he hoped to see Sania play for
Pakistan after marrying Shoaib later this month.
Sania, however, had already made it clear that she
intends to continue playing for India even after tying the
knot on April 15 in Hyderabad.
"It is great news for our tennis community that Sania
Mirza is getting married to Shoaib Malik. We welcome her and
hope that she would become a Pakistani national and play for
us in future. She has a great future ahead and we would be
delighted if she plays for Pakistan," Abbas told 'The News'.
"Asian women traditionally follow their husbands which is
why I'm hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib
to play for Pakistan," he added.
The 23-year-old Sania, who is the most successful woman
tennis player from the sub-continent, will settle down with
Shoaib in Dubai post marriage.
Abbas said even if she decides to continue playing for
India, Sania can still help her husband's country by promoting
the game among women here.
"She can encourage our girls to take up tennis, she can
inspire them to become world class players," he said.
"We would hope that Sania would lend a helping hand to
women's tennis in Pakistan," he added.
Abbas suggested that Sania team up with Pakistan's number
one tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi in the mixed doubles
circuit.
"Both Sania and Aisam are really good doubles players. I
believe that their team would not just achieve great results
internationally but will also help bridge the gap between
India and Pakistan," he said. PTI PM
AHM